Bilateral Accessory Renal Arteries: A Cadaveric Case study

Abstract

Variations in the renal arteries are among the most clinically significant anatomical variations of the renal vascular system and have important implications for surgical and radiological procedures. Accurate knowledge of these variations is essential for renal transplantation, partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic surgery, and angiographic interventions. During our routine cadaveric dissection, a rare bilateral variation was observed in which both the right and left kidneys were supplied by three separate renal arteries arising from the abdominal aorta. This finding is uncommon, as single or double renal arteries are more frequently observed. Such vascular variations are attributed to the persistence of embryonic vessels during renal development. Since the renal arteries provide the sole arterial blood supply to the kidneys, failure to identify these accessory vessels before surgery may increase the risk of bleeding, renal ischemia, and other operative complications. A thorough understanding of these anatomical variations, along with careful preoperative vascular evaluation, can assist surgeons, urologists, and radiologists in planning safer procedures and improving clinical outcomes. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing and documenting rare renal arterial variations to enhance anatomical knowledge and support better patient care.